The Venezuela national football team have been dealt a severe blow ahead of their vital World Cup qualifier against Chile on Saturday.

Coach Cesar Farias has seen 20 of his squad, almost the entire side, wiped out by a stomach bug.

Farias, who has given no explanation as to what has laid his side low, said: ‘They [the squad] didn’t have a good night and they weren’t able to train well.’

The setback is a disaster for Farias, who knows a win is vital if his side are to have any hope of finally making an appearance in a World Cup finals.

‘Fuleco’ the mascot for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil (Picture AFP/Getty Image)

Venezuela, the only South American team never to have played at the World Cup, are currently sixth in the nine-team South American group five points behind their hosts.

The top four teams qualify directly for the World Cup, which is will be hosted by Brazil next summer, with the fifth-placed team entering a play-off over two legs with the team that finishes fifth in Asian qualifying.